Technician

SWFT CLINICAL SERVICES LTD; Radford Semele; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare services provider in Radford Semele seeks a Sterile Services Technician responsible for cleaning, sterilising, and maintaining reusable medical devices. This role involves following strict quality management systems and may include working unsocial hours. Candidates must be able to handle the physical demands of the job and demonstrate strong communication skills. An extensive training programme is offered, along with a benefits package including a pension scheme and employee assistance programme.

Benefits

Annual discretionary bonus

Company pension scheme with 5% contribution

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted leisure and travel

Car lease scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to demonstrate appropriate knowledge in decontaminating complex medical devices.
• Willingness to undertake an intensive training programme and annual competency assessments.
• Ability to deal with distressing circumstances in a clinical environment.

Responsibilities

• Carry out the receipt, cleaning, and sterilisation of medical devices.
• Support the decontamination services as part of a team.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards and regulations.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Education

No specific educational qualifications mentioned

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• To carry out the receipt, disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, packing and sterilisation of reusable medical devices.
• To undertake medical device decontamination duties (under supervision) and assist Team Leaders in providing a specialised medical devices decontamination service contributing to the clinical care of the patient.
• Work in accordance with the Department's Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Management Systems at all times and throughout all production areas, ensuring safe systems are followed for patient safety.
• To work as a member of the Sterile Service Department Team in the decontamination and processing of medical and surgical equipment.
• As a Sterile Services Technician you make a valuable and important contribution to the delivery of a high-quality decontamination service. Your role is to support the departmental needs of reprocessing and delivery of all instruments and equipment used to provide medical and surgical procedures.
• The Hospital and Decontamination Unit (HSDU) provides a service to main theatres, day unit and various clinics, GP's and external contacts.
• To undertake an intensive 12 month supported training programme within the Sterile Services Decontamination unit and achieve an appropriate level of competency and understanding of decontamination sciences.
• Once completed and signed off by either the Senior Technical Compliance Officer, or Operational Manager the individual will progress from the bottom of the pay scale to the top.
• To be able to clearly demonstrate appropriate knowledge, dexterity and accuracy in decontaminating high value and complex reusable medical devices which includes dismantling, oiling and reassembling; cleanliness checking, functionality of equipment; packing and sterilisation before distribution to customers in accordance with Quality Management systems, health and safety and relevant legislation.
• Undertake on‑going development training as required, including annual competency assessments to maintain technical knowledge and skills in‑line with reusable medical device and legislative changes.
• Collection of soiled items from service users and the dispatch and transportation of sterile products to the required destination ensuring correct delivery of requested items.
• To carry out the receipt, disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, packing and sterilisation of reusable medical devices.
• Record all tasks using the departments T‑DOC Track & Trace System.
• During the disassembly process identify any defects with the instrument set, problem solve and elevate where appropriate to the relevant Team Leader.
• Receiving equipment for processing. Certify to this effect on check sheets and to the appropriate Policy.
• To identify and follow the procedure for instruments in need of repair, including completion of relevant paperwork.
• Working alongside the Technicians to reassemble a broad range of reusable medical devices with complex speciality demands, function checking where appropriate including lubrication and testing of power tools.
• The operation of washer disinfectors/sterilisers plus the maintenance of production/test records for the washer disinfectors/sterilisers and other equipment records necessary for the processing of surgical instruments and equipment.
• Maintain the required cleanliness of workstations, sinks, trolleys and other equipment.
• To report any difficulties and infringements with machinery as they arise and elevate to the Technician or Team Leader.
• To report any accidents to the Team Leader or Senior Technical and Compliance Officer.
• Ability to meet the demands of customers and key performance indicators whilst consistently achieving high quality standards which will be measured by non‑conformance reports.
• In conjunction with a Technician or Team Leader to operate decontamination equipment and carry out routine tests in accordance with the Planned Preventative Maintenance Schedule, Quality Standards and Guidance.
• Replenish raw materials to all areas and inform Team Leaders of any raw material shortages and ensure stock is rotated.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demand of customers and respond to any other requests made by the senior management team.
• When fully trained to be part of the buddy programme to support the training of all new Technician, sharing best practice, knowledge and experience of the role requirements.
• May be required to work unsocial hours.
• Required to work in noisy environments with fluctuating temperatures.
• Could be required to work flexible hours including overtime, weekends and alternative shift patterns as the activity demands.
• Ability to maintain high levels of concentration, throughout all processes, to maintain quality and fit for purpose assessment on a daily basis.

Communication Skills

• The Technician will be required to communicate with colleagues at all levels in a concise and appropriate manner.
• The Technician will be required to deal with telephone enquiries as necessary in a concise and appropriate manner.
• The Technician will need to ensure verbal and written communication is maintained within the department such as quality system documents.
• Demonstrate a courteous and helpful approach to visitors and colleagues.
• Required to report untoward incidents and relevant information to a Technician or Team Leader immediately.

Physical, Emotional and Mental Demands

• Physical: Prolonged periods of standing/walking, pushing/pulling and manoeuvring heavy trolleys and lifting instrument sets and containers of various weights of up to 25 kg.
• Emotional: Able to deal with occasional distressing circumstances when working in and around the wash area.
• Mental: Prolonged periods of intense concentration. Able to multi‑task due to unpredictable workloads i.e. equipment failure sets required on a quick turnaround and medical emergencies such as trauma or major incident.
• Working Conditions: Artificial atmosphere including positive pressure and air conditioning causing temperature variations within the department. No windows/no natural light awareness of COSHH and RIDDOR due to hazardous chemicals and chemical/clinical waste products. Risk of sharps injury from manual wash of instruments/blades/needles. Exposure to blood, bone, urine, faeces, grated bone and body tissue.

Company Overview & Benefits

SWFT Clinical Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of the South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust (SWFT). The company provides a number of services such as outpatient pharmacy facilities at Warwick and Stratford and Nuneaton hospitals; estates and facilities management at Stratford hospital, Acorn House and Lillington Health Hub; private patient service and consultancy services to NHS Trusts.

Subject to the Company and individual's performance, an annual discretionary bonus will be awarded. There is automatic enrolment to the Company pension scheme, with the Company contributing 5%. A benefits package is available to the appointed candidate upon successful completion of the six month probationary period. This gives access to benefits such as a car lease scheme; Home & Electronics scheme; discounted leisure and travel; retail discounts and a cycle to work scheme. Where is also access to a 24/7, 365 days a year Employee Assistance Programme to support colleagues who may be facing some tough times or they need extra support with their mental well-being.